China Entertainment & Recreation

The Chinese performing art is
as wondrous and as rich as the Chinese culture
with its accumulated treasures of age. The Chinese
folklore is alive and kicking, with all manner
of festivals observed by the nation's
many ethnic peoples. The hospital Chinese love
to amuse their guests with recreational activities
steeped either in tradition or modern chic.

Theatre in China
Visitors in China are enthralled by the traditional
Chinese theatre that is teeming with so many local
operas. While the Peking Opera commands a national
following, the various provinces have their own
operas. These include the Yuju Opera of Henan
Province, the Huangmei Opera of Anhui Prince,
the Shaoxing Opera of Zhejiang Province, the Cantonese
Opera of Guangdong Province, the Jinju Opera of
Shanxi Province, the Chuanju Opera of Sichuan
Province, the Hanju Opera of Hubei Province, the
Pingtan of Jiangsu Province, the Huju Opera of
Shanghai, the Xiangju Opera of Hunan Province,
the Ganju Opera of Jiangxi Province, the Minju
Opera of Fujian Province, the Luju Opera of Shandong
Province, the Pingju Opera popular in Beijing
and many other north cities, the Qinqiang Opera
of Shaanxi Province, and the Guiju Opera of the
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
While the Peking pear is representative of the
Chinese theatre, the operas of various localities
are loved by locals and tourists alike for their
unique artistic appeal and folklores aura.

Chinese Music & Dance
Traditional Chinese music figures prominently
on the world musical scene. There are numerous
traditional Chinese musical instruments, such
as Bianzhong (Bell Chimes), Zheng (ziter-like
plucked instrument with 21 or 25 strings), Xun
(egg-shaped holed wind instrument) and Erhu (Chinese
violin), which never fail to mesmerize the listener
with tones ranging from the wistful to the melodious.
The Chinese of various ethnic backgrounds are
born singers and dancers. Local operas and folk
singing and dancing are a must for any visitor
to this country.

Chinese Acrobatics & Wushu
China is a world renowned land of acrobatics and
martial arts. There are many top-notch acrobatic
troupes, including the China Acrobatics Troupe,
the Beijing Acrobatics Troupe and the Sichuan
Acrobatics Troupe. Wuqiao County, in Hebei Province,
is the venue of an annual international acrobatic
festival. Chinese acrobats have developed an endless
number of stunts which have own many awards in
international competitions. Chinese Wushu (martial
arts) is so prestigious on the global scene that
Zhengzhou, Henan Province has become the Mecca
for Wushu lovers who congregate there for an annual
international Wushu festival. Every morning street
corners and public parks are thronged with people
practicing Chinese martial arts.

Chinese Festival & Folklore
Festivals are another branch of Chinese cultural
heritage. Ethnic groups in this country observe
their own festivals, and each ethnic festival
holds forth the charms of a storied and poetical
tradition. Major festivals include the Spring
Festival (1st day of 1st lunar month), Lantern
Festival (15th day of 1st lunar month), Dragon
Boat Festival (5th Day of 5th lunar month) and
Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of 8th lunar month).
Major ethnic festival are ID AL-Fitr, ID AL-Kurban,
and IDAI-Azha among Chinese Muslims; the Tibetan
New Year, Sunning-the-Buddha Festival and Shoton
Festival among Tibet People, the 3rd day of 3rd
Month Festival Among the Zhuang People, the Nadam
Fair among Mongols, the Water- Splashing Festival
among the Dai People, and the Torch Festival among
the Yi, Bai and Naxi Peoples. Recreation &
Sports
Sophisticated recreational and sports facilities
have found their way into China by ridding the
burgeoning Chinese economy. Most of the nation's
star-rated hotels are equipped with certain kinds
of such facilities, including golf course, bowling
alleys, sailing boats, and diving facilities.
Nightclubs, recreational centers, Karaoke clubs,
and ball rooms in major cities are favorite hideaways
for tourists from various parts of the world.